Page 68 of Once Upon a Castle
At her little gasp of surprise, he added quickly, “Ah, I’ll not deny the rest of it. I needed to flee my brother’s wife as well. You could tell that I’d…dallied with her, and I was so ashamed. I thought that if I went far away she would be able to forget me and repair her marriage to my brother. But it was a foolish, selfish ploy, and one that nearly cost us our lives. When you and I fell into that cave, I made a promise. If we survived, I would do the honorable thing and mend my ways.”
Moved by his confession, Felicity touched a hand to his cheek in a gesture of tenderness. “You didn’t need to tell me all this.”
He covered her hand with his. “Oh, but I did, Rob. You deserve the truth. I feel as though a burden has been lifted from my soul. Now promise me that you’ll find the cure. You see, they are…”
Suddenly he gazed around the room with a look of sheer terror. “You’d better leave before they find you “
“They?”
Instead of replying, he put a finger to his lips and shook his head.
“But I can’t leave you,” she whispered. “You need someone to be with you.”
“I have an angel watching out for me.”
“An angel?”
He gave her a sly wink. “You and I know. Now go, Rob. And kiss your lovely wife for me.”
As she made her way to the door, Felicity felt the sting of tears and had to swallow the lump that threatened to choke her. She found herself hoping that her father was indeed kissing her mother and that both had found a measure of peace.
Lost in thought, she didn’t hear the light footfall behind her as she paused at the top of the stairs. She was jolted as hands shoved roughly against her back. With a cry she tangled her foot in the hem of her skirt and pitched forward.
The stairs were steep, the distance to the landing far too perilous. Though the fall might not be fatal, it would surely result in some broken bones and a great deal of pain. With those thoughts rushing through her mind, Felicity struggled to bring her hands up to her face to cushion the blow. But just before she would have fallen on the landing below, she felt strong hands wrap around her waist. Heat enveloped her. She was set gently on her feet. Then, as quickly as it came, the heat was gone.
Felicity followed along the hallway toward the hum of voices. When she paused at the doorway to the parlor, the babble ceased. All heads turned toward her.
“Here she is now.” Ian St. John was standing beside the fireplace, one hand on the mantel, a crystal goblet of ale in the other. He looked relaxed, content. The words Gareth had spoken earlier came to mind: “Lord of the manor.” The doctor looked perfectly at home here at Falcon’s Lair.
“You’ve kept us waiting. Come and meet our guests.” Honora crossed the room in a swirl of petticoats and studied Felicity.
Thanks to a stop at her room, Felicity showed no trace of nerves. She had carefully brushed her hair and calmed her racing heartbeat before facing the others. Now, as she looked around, she wondered if someone present was the guilty party.
“Miss Felicity Andrews, may I present Lord and Lady Summerville and their daughter, Diana.”
Felicity offered her hand, which Lord Summerville gallantly kissed. His neatly trimmed hair and mustache were shot with silver. Though his middle had begun to thicken, he still had the proud bearing of a military man.
His plump wife wore a pink confection that was far too girlish for her figure. The neckline was enhanced by a diamond-and-pearl necklace that was worth a king’s ransom. Her smile was warm and genuine. “Welcome to England, my dear.”
“Thank you.” Felicity turned to the Summervilles’ daughter. “Diana, I’m delighted to meet you. I do hope we can be friends.”
“I’d like that.” Diana clasped her hand. Like her mother, she gave Felicity a welcoming smile.
“I understand you are old friends of Lord Falcon,” Felicity remarked.
“Oh, yes.” Lord Summerville nodded vigorously. “Oliver and I grew up on neighboring estates and went off to Oxford together. Muriel and I were in India and stood up at his wedding. We grieved with him when his beloved Catherine passed away two years ago.”
“He’s had a great deal of grief in his life, hasn’t he?” Felicity asked.
She saw Diana’s eyes fill as she looked away.
“Enough of this maudlin talk.” Honora signaled for a serving girl and helped herself to a glass of wine. Her tone left little doubt that she was annoyed at the direction of the conversation. “What kept you, Felicity? Did Bean do something clumsy again?”
Again? Was she being spied upon? “Bean was most helpful. I’m late because I stopped by Lord Falcon’s room for a visit.”
“How is my old friend?” Lord Summerville accepted a drink from the servant’s tray.
“He seems quite frail tonight. But he did manage to talk for a while. I think it brought him a measure of comfort.”
